11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
[MIS02-08] The Use of Drones for Marine Litter Monitoring: Technical and Scientific Advances
Keywords:Plastic pollution, Environmental monitoring, Close-range remote sensing, UAV
Marine litter pollution is a global environmental challenge, as it adversely affects ecosystems, threatens marine life, and poses risks to human health. Over the past decades, various monitoring strategies have been implemented to support policymakers and stakeholders in developing effective pollution mitigation measures. Traditional methodologies for litter surveys have primarily relied on visual census techniques conducted on beaches and riverbanks, as well as trawl-based assessments in riverine and oceanic waters. However, there is the need to enhance litter monitoring approaches by incorporating novel techniques that provide more comprehensive data on litter abundance and dynamics.
In recent years, multirotor drones have emerged as a highly effective tool for monitoring macro-litter in coastal and riverine environments. Aerial imagery captured by drones enables the detection and mapping of litter on beaches, dunes, and riverbanks, as well as floating debris in coastal and riverine waters. Compared to conventional visual surveys, drone-based monitoring offers significant advantages in terms of spatial and temporal coverage, as drones can autonomously collect high-resolution images over extensive areas in a short period.
This communication discusses the latest technical advancements in drone flight operations and image analysis, highlighting the numerous benefits of drone-based surveys in both improving litter monitoring efforts and enhancing understanding of litter dynamics. Firstly, a range of optimal flight altitudes have been established to ensure image resolution suitable for litter detection. Secondly, a wide variety of manual and automated image processing techniques has been developed to identify and categorize litter items. Further advanced image analysis methods allow for the estimation of litter size, weight, and volume directly from aerial images. Finally, drone-based surveys facilitate spatial mapping of litter distribution, enabling the identification of accumulation hotspots, the analysis of potential litter transport pathways, and the detection of emerging pollution sources.
The integration of drones into marine litter monitoring represents a significant advancement in environmental assessment, offering a valid support for mitigation strategies, and promoting optimized clean-up initiatives. By enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of litter surveys, drone technology contributes to improved environmental protection and pollution reduction efforts.
In recent years, multirotor drones have emerged as a highly effective tool for monitoring macro-litter in coastal and riverine environments. Aerial imagery captured by drones enables the detection and mapping of litter on beaches, dunes, and riverbanks, as well as floating debris in coastal and riverine waters. Compared to conventional visual surveys, drone-based monitoring offers significant advantages in terms of spatial and temporal coverage, as drones can autonomously collect high-resolution images over extensive areas in a short period.
This communication discusses the latest technical advancements in drone flight operations and image analysis, highlighting the numerous benefits of drone-based surveys in both improving litter monitoring efforts and enhancing understanding of litter dynamics. Firstly, a range of optimal flight altitudes have been established to ensure image resolution suitable for litter detection. Secondly, a wide variety of manual and automated image processing techniques has been developed to identify and categorize litter items. Further advanced image analysis methods allow for the estimation of litter size, weight, and volume directly from aerial images. Finally, drone-based surveys facilitate spatial mapping of litter distribution, enabling the identification of accumulation hotspots, the analysis of potential litter transport pathways, and the detection of emerging pollution sources.
The integration of drones into marine litter monitoring represents a significant advancement in environmental assessment, offering a valid support for mitigation strategies, and promoting optimized clean-up initiatives. By enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of litter surveys, drone technology contributes to improved environmental protection and pollution reduction efforts.